Forever and Always

Chapter 27

Dani's POV

After Demi left, I got my phone and called Liana.

"Bitch, where the hell are you today?" She answered on the third ring.

"Hello to you too," I rolled my eyes and cracked a smile. "Demi paid a surprise visit to me last night and she stayed over."

"Wait, what? So y'all are back together now?"

"Yes, but don't tell anyone except Alyson and Mason. Maybe after Aly knows, she'll start talking to me again. Anyway, we're keeping it on the down low this time so make sure they don't tell either. If anyone else knows I'll have to kill you."

"Sorry, but I could totally beat your ass," she joked and I sighed.

"Speaking of ass beating..." I trailed off.

"Uh-oh, no good thing could follow that. What's up?"

I went up to my room so Gabby wouldn't hear, even though she was still fast asleep. "Demi found everything."

Liana was quiet for a moment. "What did she do?"

"I think you can guess."

More seconds of silence. "He's going to kill me."

"No, he won't."

"I've only been here for a few months and I already know how he works. I'm as good as dead."

"Yeah, well I've dated him and I really know how he works. Believe it or not, he respects people in a relationship and if that person doesn't want him then he doesn't chase. But he loves when there's someone who's single and doesn't want him. It's like that whole 'we want what we can't have' thing. He's told me before that nothing turns him on more than when a girl can resist his so-called 'charm'."

"And that's...you."

I was quiet as my answer.

"Please tell me you can fake wanting him."

"He knows me."

"Right." I could almost hear her thinking over the phone. "Alright, so we'll find a way for someone to protect you. I'll tell Mason and he can be your bodyguard or something. Him, Rick, Kurt, and Joe. They're all jocks and strong and could totally take Ben. Plus, they're the guys that hang with you the most so you're already around them a lot."

I sighed. I honestly hated feeling helpless and like I was becoming an inconvenience.

"You know what, you don't get a say in that. I'm calling Mason right now." With that, she hung up and I groaned and flopped down on my bed.

I wanted to drink so bad but I knew I couldn't. Demi dumped everything I had out but I knew, even if I had some, I couldn't drink it. I didn't want to risk my chances with her. If I screwed up anymore, she wasn't coming back. I was lucky I'd even gotten a second chance after cheating on her. I had to get better, not only for Demi but for Gabriela.

With those thoughts, I snatched my laptop off my bedside table and turned it on to search for therapists.

After two hours I finally settled on a woman, Dr Brown, who was reasonable with her price and I was set for an appointment tomorrow. I was shocked when the doorbell rang. As far as I knew, no one was supposed to be coming over and Liana has gotten into the habit of just walking in.

"Dani, a girl is here for you," Gabby ran into our room, apparently well rested and hyper again. "But she's not Demi. Where is Demi? Why did she leave? Is she in the box again?"

"Gabby, shut up," I rolled my eyes but smiled. "She had stuff to do and no she isn't in the box."

"Girl at the door, Dani is in here!" Gabby yelled down and ran right back out again.